“I don’t think he’s an abomination,” Ronan said.
“Neither do I,” said Duncan.
“I don’t either,” said Catherine.
“What’s an abominabilation?” their daughter Penelope asked.
“It means he is an evil sinner,” Mrs. Sinclair found her voice.
“Uncle Roro is nice. He’s not evil,” Penelope protested.
“You’re too young to understand, sweetheart. You’ll understand when you’re older,” Mrs. Sinclair said.
Penelope screwed up her face. “I know Uncle Roro likes that man Barnyard.”
“Who told you such bad things, angel?” Mrs. Sinclair asked.
“Mommy and Daddy said that Uncle Roro was in love with Barnyard and that they should be together, but Grammy doesn’t like it.”
“What filth have you been filling my granddaughter’s head with?” Mrs. Sinclair glared at Duncan and Catherine. “I should have her removed from your care.”
“From our care?” Duncan said. “You have no right to her. She’s our daughter. You think because you’re her grandmother you know best?”
“I know what’s best.” Mrs. Sinclair stood at her full height.
“Also, we never mentioned Rory and Bernard to her,” Catherine said.
“She must have overheard us talking after she’d gone to bed,” Duncan said.
“Enough,” the priest bellowed. “Mr. Silva, the Church has excommunicated you, and I require you to leave this holy temple. If you refuse to leave of your own accord, I’ll have you removed.”
Bernard shared a glance with Rory. He stood there hoping Rory would say something, anything.
“Rory, I love you,” Bernard said.
“Filth like you don’t know what love is. Only lust and sodomy,” Mrs. Sinclair said.
“I’ll go then.” Bernard turned away, defeated.
He’d come here hoping Rory would see he loved him. He wanted to be with him for the rest of his life. Bernard had tried to escape the pain of Tracy for seven years. He sabotaged all his dates and potential relationships for nothing. He’d reconnected with someone who loved him as much as he loved them. It was all for naught. Rory was a good Catholic man who would put his religion above anything else. That included his own happiness. Bernard had to face the fact that after this, their friendship was over. Maeve Sinclair would see to that.
Bernard placed his hand on the door.
“Wait!” Rory said.
Bernard turned around in time to catch Rory in his arms.
“What?” Bernard said.
“I love you too, Bernard Silva.” Rory placed a soft kiss on his lips.
Bernard wrapped his arms around Rory and held him tight. For this moment, no one else existed. Bernard and Rory stood in an embrace, lips pressed together. The world stopped.
“You’re the one I want to be with,” Rory said. “No, you’re the one Ineedto be with. You have always treated me with kindness and love. You have never pushed me to do anything I wasn’t comfortable with, and you’d let me choose my religion over you if you thought it would make me happy.”
“I…”
“You don’t have to say anything. My heart belongs to you. I know deep down it always did. I just wish I’d figured it out sooner.”
